Glamorgan dealt Kasper blow

Michael Kasprowicz will not be playing for Glamorgan this summer © Getty Images

Australia Test bowler Michael Kasprowicz has pulled out of his Glamorgan contract because he thinks it will harm his chances of Ashes selection.

Kasprowicz, currently on tour with Australia in South Africa, was due to join Glamorgan next month for the start of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship season.

But the 34-year-old, who was recalled by Australia this month as cover for Glenn McGrath, believes a five-month English summer could wreck his hopes of being selected to face England in the next Ashes series which begins in November.

The Queensland seamer’s decision has come as a blow to Glamorgan, who already have serious injury doubts over their other overseas Australian Matthew Elliott.

Glamorgan could face having to sign two other overseas players before the season begins on April 23.

“The news on Michael is very disappointing but at the end of the day we can’t do that much about it,” said Glamorgan chief executive Mike Fatkin.

“We have to be philosophical about it and get on with things.

“We thought Michael was all set to come over for the whole season and until the last 24 hours didn’t have any inkling of this.

“But he has now turned around and said he wants to concentrate on his international career and feels a season in county cricket might harm that.

“I can understand his ambitions, especially with the Ashes coming up again in the winter, but it leaves us looking for a replacement with just over four weeks to go until the season begins.”

Glamorgan will probably know by the end of the week the full extent of Elliott’s knee problems.

The county are waiting for medical reports before deciding whether to keep Elliott, who had an operation last month, or instead go for a replacement.

“There are two things here. Firstly the prognosis, post-op, is that Matthew won’t be fit to play for us until mid-May,” said Fatkin.

“And secondly, if he is given the all-clear, how is his knee going to stand up to the rigours of the county season?

“The other factor we have to take into account in all this is South Australia. If we were in their shoes would we want him to come over here and risk his knee?

“But Matthew has asked us for three weeks from the operation before we make an assessment and that’s what we will do.”